Container



March 18, 1941. c. A'. NEsMlTH CONTAINER Filed May 1e, 1958 VIII/Ill] Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to receptacles or containers, and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical and eiective container that s particularly easy to open and manipulate.

The containers in which pastes, salves, polishes, etc. are packaged and sold usually embody either screw caps or pressed-on closures. Such caps or closures are very difficult to remove and the user often injures his hands in attempting to turn or pry them loose.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container embodying a closure or cover that may be easily freed for removal by merely pressing down upon it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container in which the closure or cover may be quickly removed without tapping, turning or prying and, therefore, Without danger of injuring the hands or mutilating the container parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a readily opened container of the character mentioned that is air tight and uid tight to fully preserve the contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container that embodies an outer tubular member associated wi-th the top or closure and shiftably telescopicallyrelated to the container body in such a manner that pressure applied downwardly against the cover moves the body down relative to said member to free or disconnect the cover and member assembly from the container body whereupon the body and its contents may be immediately made fully accessible.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Acontainer of the character mentioned in which the tubular outer member and the top or closure are loosely connected to form la single unit when removed from the body to facilitate the handling of the container and the re-application of the cover to the container body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container of the character mentioned embodying novel and improved means for releasably retaining the tubular member on the body in a psition where the cover is tightly held in place to maintain a fluid tight and air tight seal.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout 4which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of the improved container provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the container with a portion broken away to illustrate the several parts in vertical cross section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the container in the closed condition. Fig. 4 is a reduced vertical detailed sectional view with the body and closure in elevation and showing the body and closure in the positions that they assume after a pressure has been applied to the cover to free the same. Fig. 5 is a View similar -to Fig. 4 showing the cover and the tubular member being lifted from the body. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a slightly modified form of detent means, and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation view of the detent means shown in Fig. 6.

The container of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawing, includes, generally, a body III, a top or closure II for the body I0, a shell or member I2 associated with the closure I I and telescoping over the body I0 to support the body, and a releasable connection or detent means I3 holding the member I2 against movement in a position where the cover Il is tightly closed and releasable by downward movement ofthe cover and body I0 rela-tive to the member I2.

The container body ID is provided to cont-ain the product or material packaged in the container. In the drawing the body III is a simple cup-like member having a flat bottom I4 and a generally cylindrical side wall I5 extending upwardly from the bottom I4. It is' to be understood that the container body ID may be of other shapes, for example, it may be polygonal in cross section. The body I0 may be formed of metal that is tinned, plated or otherwise treated, it being understood that the body may be formed of any suitable material. In the preferred construction an annular inwardly projecting flange I6 is provided on the upper end ofthe side wall I5. The flange I6 is preferably flat and generally horizontal. A rolled bead I'I may be formed on the inner edge of the flange I6 to remove or eliminate the sharp edge of the flange.

The top or closure II is provided to normally seal or close the open upper end of the ccntainer body Ill. The closure II may be constructed of the same material as the body IU. In the typical form-of the invention illustrated the closure II is la simple disc-like member provided with an annular down-turned peripheral wall part I8. The wall part I8 is curved or convex in `external configuration to give the closure II a dome-like appearance. If desired or believed necessary the closure II may be corrugated to increase its rigidity. An internal or inwardly projecting'annular flange I9 is provided at the lower end of the wall part I8. The flange I9 is ilat and generally horizontal and opposes the flange I6 on the body I0. A bead or roll 20 is preferably formed on the inner edge of the ilange I9. The flanges IB and I9 may be of the same internal diameter and their beads or rolls I'I and 25 are turned or rolled in opposite directions so that they do not engage or interfere with one another. The flange I9 may be of larger outside diameter than the flange I6 to extend outwardly beyond the fiange I6.

It is preferred to provide a sealing gasket or washer 2| to seal between the flanges I6 and I9. The washer 2| may be a simple annular part of rubber, cardboard or other suitable material and may be secured to the flange I6 or the flange I9. In the present instance it will be assumed that the sealing washer 2| is cemented or otherwise secured to the flange I9. When the container is closed the washer 2| forms or provides a dependable fluid-tight and air-tight seal between the flanges I6 and I9. to preserve the contents of the container. In accordance with 'the invention the cover or closure II has an annular outwardly turned or outwardly projecting annular ridge or rim 22. The rim 22 may occur Where the wall part I8 joins the flange I9. The rim 22 may be formed by suitably bending or shaping the material of the closure II. The rim 22 is shaped to constitute or present an upwardly facing annular shoulder part on the closure The shell or outer member I2 normally surrounds or engages about the container body I!! and is coupled or connected with the closure I! to normally hold the same in its closed position. The member I2 is a slightly tapered tubular element adapted to surround the side wall I5 of the container body IB. In practice the member I2 is formed of metal of suitable gauge to have the desired flexibility and resiliency. The external surface of the shell or member I2 may serve to carry the label, printing, etc., it being obvious that the top surface of the closure Il may also be employed for this purpose. In accordance with the invention the member I2 is longer or of greater vertical extent than the body II) to project beyond the upper and lower extremities Vof the body.

It is preferred to construct and relate the parts so that the body I9 and the member I2 have sealing and frictional engagement. Where the side wall I5 of the body I0 is cylindrical or vertical, as above described, a portion X of the member I2 is flared or tapered upwardly and inwardly at a decreased angle to have its inner surface cooperate with the external surface of the body wall I5 when the container is closed.- In practice the portion X of the member I2 seals with the wall I5 adjacent the upper end of the wall. The portion X of the member I2 is annular to seal with and frictionally engage the wall I5 throughout the circumference of the body wall I5. The portion of the member I2 below its portion X may be shaped and proportioned to have suitable clearance with the eX- ternal surface of the body wall I5 when the container is in its normal closed condition. The lower portion of the member I2 which projects downwardly beyond the bottom I4 of the body I is preferably provided with a roll or base bead 23 for engaging against a `support to carry or support the container. The rim or bead 23 is preferably provided on the outer side of the member I2 so that it does not interfere with the movement of the member I2 over the body I0.

In accordance with the invention the member I2 is coupled or connected with the closure II to normally hold it in its closed position. The member I2 is bent outwardly or extends outwardly in a plane below its upper end to have an upwardly facing annular shoulder 24. A substantially cylindrical wall portion 25 extends upwardly from the shoulder 24. When the container is closed the shoulder 24 is spaced below the upper end of the container body wall I5. The wall portion 25 receives or surrounds the rim 22 of the closure II. An internal bead 26 is provided on the upper end of the wall portion 25 to cooperate with the rim 22. The bead 26 is locatedand shaped to bear against the upper side of the rim 22. When the member I2 is secured to the body ID by the means I3, as will be subsequently described, the bead 26 cooperates with the rim 22 to urge or hold the closure II down so that the washer 2| is tightly gripped lbetween the flanges I 6 and I9 to form or provide a tight seal. When the container is open, that is, when the closure II and the member I2 are removed from the body I0 the shoulder 24 and the bead 26 limit movement of the rim 22 and the Washer 2| relative to the member I2 and thus prevent separation or disconnection of the closure from the member I2.

The means I3 is in the nature of a releasable detent means for normally holding the parts in the positions illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing where the bead 26 bears downwardly against the rim 22 to hold the cover or closure II in' its closed position. The means I3 is capable of considera-ble variation and modification. In the typical form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawing, the means I3 includes an annular groove 28 in the inner side or the internal surface of the member I2 and an annular outwardly projecting ridge or bead 29 on the container body wall I5 for cooperating with the groove 28. The groove 28 may be readily formed by bending or shaping the material of the member I2 and the bead 29 may be formed on the body wall I in a similar manner. The groove 28 is preferably. spaced above the bead 23 and the detent bead 29 is at or adjacent the line of connection of the wall I5 with the bottom I4 of the body I0. Thus when the container is in the closed condition with the bead 29 cooperating with the groove 28, the bottom I4 of the body I0 is spaced above the supf port on which the detent is resting. This will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The bead 29 need not closely fit the groove 28 but may merely bear on the lower wall portion of the groove.

When a downward pressure or force is applied to the closure II it is transmitted to the body I0 through the washer 2| and the flange I6 and if of suicient intensity will cause the member I2 to flex or expand so that the bead 29 snaps down out of the groove 28. The body IIJ and closure I I are then in the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing and the member I2 may be readily slid up over the body, as shown in Fig. 5. The bead 29 is adapted to snap into the groove 28 to hold the closure in the closed position when the closure II and the member I2 are moved down on the body I0. The cooperation of the bead 29 with the groove 28 maintains the bead 26 in engagement with the rim -22 to hold the cover or closure II tightly closed and maintains the Wall portion X of the member I2 in sealing and frictional engagement with the body Wall I5.

Rigs. 6 and 7 of the drawing illustrate another toi-m of holding means or detent means for holding the parts in .the normal closed positions where the closure Ill is held down and the wall portion X engages with the body wall t5. In this oonstruction the d-etent means I3a includes the bead 29 on the body I0 which may be as described above. One or more projections 30 are provided on the member I2 for .cooperating with .th-e bead 29. It may be preferred to provide two o-r more circumferent-ially spaced projections 30 on the member I2. The projections 30 are in the nature -of lugs projecting from the inner surface of the member I2 for engaging upwardly against the `under side of the bead 29. In practice the proyin the member I2 adjacent each projection 30.

The slots 31 are spaced from the opposite ends of the projections 30 so that the metal between the slots forms springs that flex to all-ow the projections 30 to snap into and out of holding engagement with the bead 29. rIhe parts are proportioned and related so that the engagement o-f the projections 30 with the bead 29 maintains the member Il2 in the .position where the cover or closure I I is held tightly closed and the portion X properly cooperates with the body wall I5.

It is believed that the utility and practioability of the improved container of the present invention will be readily understood from the floregoing detailed description. When it is desired to open the container the container is placed on a suitable support so that the bead 2-3 rests on it to support the container. A downward force or pressure is then put on the closure I'I. This downward force is .transmitted through the flange I9, the washer 2-I and .the flange I'B to the body I9. The downward force on the `body I0 acting through the engage-ment of the bead 29 with the wall of the groove 28 or by the engagement .o f the bead 29 with the projections 30 tends to spread or expand the member |2 and when a sufficient downward force is applied the bead 29 snaps down out `of the groove or past the projections 30 as the case may be. The body I0 and the closure I-I are thus free to move down to posi- Y tions such las shown in Fig. 4 of .the drawing where the bottom I4 of the body engages against the support. The member I2 carrying the closure I\I may then be freely slid up off the body I0, as illustrated in Eig. 5. llt will be observed that the cover or closure I I is carried by the'member I2 and is removed from :the body I0 together with the member. The removal .of the member I2 from the body I9 ful-ly exposes the upper end of the .body rendering the `contents of the container accessible.

lWhen it is desired to reclose the container the member I2 is passed down around the body I0 or the body I0 is moved upwardly into the member I2. The body I0 and the member I2 are moved longitud-finally with respect to one another until the bead 29 snaps into the groove 2.8 or the projections 30 snap under the bead 219 as the oase may be. This reoonnects or re-secures the member I2 to .the body I0 and retains the closure Il in the position where its flange `I9 tightly seals against the washer 2| and the washer seals with the flange lr6. The wall portion X oat' the member Il2 is :also brought to sealing and frictional cooperation with .the exterior of the body wall which the cl-osure or cover II may be easily and quickly freed for removal by merely pressing d-own upon it. When the container is resting on a stationary support the user may place a substantial downward force .on the closure I-I with a minimum of ei'ort to release ithe detent means I 3 or' ISH' .and thus free the closure II for removal. The container is dependably sealed by the washer 21| gripped between the flanges I6 and I9 and by the engagement of the wall portion X of the member I2 with the body wall I5. The container of the present invention is inexpensive and is cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, the upper and lower ends of the member being open, a part on the tubular member normally cooperating with the cover to hold it down on the body, said member extending down around ,.u

the body to project from its lower end to rest on a support so that a downward force applied to the cover may move the cover downwardly from said part to be readily removable from the body, means holding the member on the body in the position where the cover is closed and releasable by said downward force, and a second part on the tubular member spaced below the first named part and cooperable with the cover to limit downward movement of the cover relative to the member, said parts permanently slackly connecting the cover and tubular member for removal and handling as a unit.

2. A container comprising a container body, a cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a rim on the cover, vertically spaced shoulders on the member between which said rim is received whereby the cover is loosely coupled with the member, one of said shoulders normally cooperating with the rim to hold the cover closed, the member extending beyond the lower end of the body so that a downward force on the cover may move the cover and body down relative to the member to free the rim from the said shoulder, and means holding the body and member against relative movement releasable by said downward force.

3. A container comprising a container body, a cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a rim on the cover, vertically spaced shoul- The present invention provides a container in ders on the member between which said rim is received whereby the cover is loosely coupled with the member, one of said shoulders normally cooperating with the rim to hold the cover closed, the member extending beyond the lower end of the body so that a downward force on the cover may move the cover and body down relative to the member to free the rim from the said shoulder, and means holding the body and member against relative movementl releasable by said downward force, said means including a bead on the body, and a detent projection on the member cooperable with the bead.

4. A container comprising a container body, a cover adapted to bear -downwardly on .the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a rim on the cover, vertically spaced shoulders on the member between which said rim is received whereby the cover is loosely coupled with the member, one of said shoulders normally cooperating with the rim to hold the cover closed,

,the member extending beyond the lower end of the body so that a downward force on the cover may move the cover and body down relative to the member to free the rim from the said shoulder, and meansl holding the body and member against relative movement releasable by said downward force, said means including a bead on the body, and a wall portion on the member dcning a groove for receiving the bead.

5. A container comprising a container body, a cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a rim on the cover, vertically spaced shoulders on the member between which said rim is received whereby the cover is loosely coupled with the member, one of said shoulders normally cooperating with the rim to hold the cover closed, opposing flanges on the body and cover, a sealing washer engaged between the anges, the member extending beyond the lower end of the body so that a downward force on the cover may move the cover and body down relative to the member to free the rim from the said shoulder, and means holding the body and member against relative movement releasable by said downward force.

6. A container comprising a container body, a cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body -to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a rim on the cover, vertically spaced shoulders on the member between which said rim is received whereby the cover is loosely coupled with the member, one of said shoulders normally cooperating with the rim to hold the cover closed, the member extending beyond the lower end of the body so that a downward force on the cover may move the cover and body down relative to the member to free the rim from the said shoulder,` and means holding the body and member against relative movement releasable by said downward force, said means including a bead on the body, and a detent projection on the member cooperable with the bead, the member having spaced slots at opposite sides of the detent projection whereby the projection may spring into and out of cooperation with the bead.

7. A container comprising a container body, a

cover adapted to bear downwardly on the body to close the same, a tubular member around the body, a bead part on the upper edge of the tubular member bearing downwardly against the peripheral portion of the cover to hold the samel rest on a support so that a down pressure on the cover may move the body and cover down relative to said member to free the cover from said part, means for holding the member in the position where its said part cooperates with the cover, releasable by the said down pressure, and a second part on the tubular member spacedy from the bead part and adapted to cooperate with the under surface of the peripheral portion of the cover to limit the downward movement of the cover relative to the tubular member, the cooperation of said parts with the cover permanently slackly connecting the cover and tubular member for removal and handling as a unit.

8. A container comprising a container body, a cover for the body having a rim whose under side is adapted to contact the upper edge of the body, a tubular member around the body extending from above the upper edge of the body to below the lower end of the body, the upper and lower ends of the member being open, means adjacent the lower end of the member for releasably supporting the body to hold the lower end of the body above the lower end of the member, and a part on the upper end of the member loosely receiving the rim to connect the member and cover for limited relative movement lengthwise of the container and presenting a surface which bears downwardly on the rim to hold the rim against the upper end of the body when the body is supported by said means whereby a downward push applied to the cover may move the cover and body downwardly relative to the member to release said means and thus allow withdrawal of the body through the lower end of the member, said part cooperating with the rim to retain the cover in the member upon such withdrawal of the body.

CARL A. NESMITH. 

